Shell processing method and shell processing device used in the method

ABSTRACT

In a shellfish processing method, meat is separated from shells by injecting liquid into inside of the shells of the shellfish, thereby opening the shell. After one of the shells is opened, associated parts of the shellfish are suckingly removed independently or collectively in part or in total. An opening portion is formed in a part of a shell of the shellfish and associated parts of the shellfish are suckingly removed through the opening portion independently or collectively in part or in total. After the associated parts are suckingly removed, the meat is separated from the other shell by injecting liquid in the shellfish. The opening portion is formed in a part of the shell by removing a part of the shell by a cutting operation or by perforating a part of the shell or by breaking a part of the shell by pressurization. Fragments and powder of the shell produced when the opening portion is formed in the shell is removed by suction or liquid washing. The opening portion(s) is formed in one or both of the shells. A shellfish processing device comprises an associated part removing mechanism, a transporting body, an opening mechanism, a first separating mechanism and a second separating mechanism in order to achieve the processing method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shellfish processing method fortaking out a muscle adductor of a scallop or meat (including a muscleadductor) or associated parts such as mantle and/or gonad of a shellfishsuch as an abalone from a shell, and a shellfish processing device usedin such a method, for example, which method and device are suitable forautomatically taking out the muscle adductor and associated parts fromthe scallop shell by means of a machine before the muscle adductor ofthe scallop is forwarded to the market.

2. Related Background Art

The shellfishes such as scallop and abalone have been forwarded to themarket in various commodity forms. For example, regarding the scallop,the following commodity forms are known.

1. Raw goods with shells;

2. Raw goods in which one of shells is opened and removed and theassociated parts such as midgut gland, muscle adductor, gonad and mantleare remained on the other shell;

3. Raw goods including only associated parts such as midgut gland,gonad, mantle, heart, gill and tentacle;

4. Goods including only raw muscle adductor;

5. Goods including only raw gonad (however, there is gonad only in thebreeding season); and

6. Goods including raw mantle and gill.

In the goods other than the goods with the shells forwarded to themarket, the gonad, mantle, muscle adductor and the like must be takenout or removed from the shells. If the removing operation is performedmanually, since great labor and time are required, methods forautomatically opening the shellfish and taking out the muscle adductorhave been developed in order to perform the removing operationefficiently for a short time. One of such methods is a muscle adductortaking-out method shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D. Such a method is carriedout as follows.

(1) An operator sets one scallop 90 horizontally on each working tableattached to a belt conveyor. In this case, the scallop is set in such amanner that, among two shells 91, 92 of the scallop 90, a shell (havinga shallow curvature and brown color; normally called as a right shell)91 called as an upper shell is located downwardly.

(2) Leading end portions 93 of two. shells 91, 92 of the scallop 90being conveyed by the belt conveyor is cut by a diamond cutter along aphantom line in FIG. 10A to remove the leading ends as shown in FIG.10B, thereby forming an opening portion 94 between the shells 91, 92 asshown in FIG. 10C. During the cutting operation, cold water is appliedto the diamond cutter to prevent the shells 91, 92 from being heated andto lengthen the service life of the cutter and to prevent cut powderfrom being scattered. Incidentally, if the shells 91, 92 are heated, theheat will be transmitted to the muscle adductor 95 within the shells,thereby worsening freshness and quality of the muscle adductor 95.

(3) As shown in FIG. 10D, a separating tool 96 such as a spatula isinserted into the scallop 90 through the opening portion 94 along aninner surface of one shell 91 to separate the shell 91 from the muscleadductor 95. The scallop 90 in which the shell 91 was separated is sentoutside from the working table.

(4) Parts other than the muscle adductor 95 such as midgut gland, heart,mantle and gonad (referred to generically as “associated parts”hereinafter) attached to the other shell (having a deep curvature andwhite color; normally called as a left shell) 92 of the scallop 90 sentare removed manually.

(5) The separating tool 96 is pushed along an inner surface of the shell92 to separate the other side of the muscle adductor 95 from the shell92 and take out the muscle adductor 95.

Although the above-mentioned muscle adductor taking-out method canfacilitate the entire operation and make it efficient more than themanual operation, since the muscle adductor is separated from the shellsby inserting the separating tool, the muscle adductor may be scratched,broken or torn, thereby worsening the quality and grade of the muscleadductor. Thus, it is difficult to surely take out the muscle adductorwithout waste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a shellfish processingmethod and device, in which meat (including a muscle adductor) of ashellfish is hard to be scratched, the muscle adductor is hard to bebroken or torn and can be taken out easily and perfectly withoutdamaging the muscle adductor, a processing operation can be performedsanitarily, and the muscle adductor, mantle, gonad and the like can betaken out in accordance with a desired commodity form.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the shellfishprocessing method comprises a shell opening method in which meat isseparated from shells by injecting liquid into inside of the shells ofthe shellfish.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the shellfishprocessing method comprises a shell opening method in which an openingportion is formed in a part of shells of the shellfish and meat isseparated from the shells by injecting liquid into inside of the shellsthrough the opening portion.

According to further aspect of the present invention, the shellfishprocessing method comprises a shell opening method in which, after oneof shells is opened, meat is separated from the shells by injectingliquid into inside of the shells.

According to further aspect of the present invention, the shellfishprocessing method comprises a suckingly removing method in which, afterone of shells is opened, associated parts such as midgut gland, gonad,mantle, heart, gill and tentacle of a shellfish is removed independentlyor collectively in part or in total by suction.

According to further aspect of the present invention, the shellfishprocessing method comprises a suckingly removing method in which anopening portion is formed in a part of shells of the shellfish andassociated parts such as midgut gland, gonad, mantle, heart, gill andtentacle of a shellfish is removed through the opening portionindependently or collectively in part or in total by suction.

According to further aspect of the present invention, the shellfishprocessing method comprises a separating method in which an openingportion is formed in a part of shells of the shellfish and associatedparts such as midgut gland, gonad, mantle, heart, gill and tentacle of ashellfish is removed through the opening portion independently orcollectively in part or in total by suction, and, thereafter, meat isseparated from the other shell by injecting liquid in the shellfish.

According to further aspect of the present invention, in theabove-mentioned shellfish processing method, there is provided a methodin which an opening portion is formed in one or both of two shells byremoving a part of the shell or shells by a cutting operation or byperforating a part of the shell or shells or by breaking a part of theshell or shells by pressurization.

According to further aspect of the present invention, in theabove-mentioned shellfish processing method, there is provided a methodin which small fragments and powder of the shell produced when theopening portion is formed in the shells is removed by suction or liquidwashing.

According to further aspect of the present invention, the shellfishprocessing device includes an associated part removing mechanism forsuckingly removing associated parts such as midgut gland, heart, mantleand the like independently or collectively in part or in total from ashellfish in which one of shells is opened.

According to further aspect of the present invention, the shellfishprocessing device includes a transporting body for transporting ashellfish, an opening mechanism for forming an opening portion in a partof shells of the shellfish transported by the transporting body, and anassociated part removing mechanism for suckingly removing associatedparts such as midgut gland, heart, mantle and the like of the shellfishindependently or collectively in part or in total through the openingportion.

According to further aspect of the present invention, in theabove-mentioned shellfish processing device, there is provided a firstseparating mechanism for separating meat of the shellfish from a shellby injecting liquid into the inside of one of the shells.

According to further aspect of the present invention, in theabove-mentioned shellfish processing device, there is provided a secondseparating mechanism for separating the meat from the other shell byinjecting liquid into the inside of the other shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1E are explanatory views showing steps of a shellfishprocessing method according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a plan view for explaining a condition that a shellfish isrested on a transporting body in the shellfish processing methodaccording to the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a front viewschematically showing the condition that the shellfish is rested on thetransporting body;

FIG. 3A is an explanatory view showing an opening mechanism used in theshellfish processing method according to the present invention, and FIG.3B is a front view of the opening mechanism;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a first separating mechanism usedin the shellfish processing method according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an associated part removingmechanism used in the shellfish processing method according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a second separating mechanism usedin the shellfish processing method according to the present invention;

FIGS. 7A to 7G are explanatory views showing steps of a shellfishprocessing method according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of a suction mechanism ofhigh pressure air type of a shellfish processing device according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of a suction mechanism ofhigh hydraulic pressure type of a shellfish processing device accordingto the present invention; and

FIGS. 10A to 10D are explanatory views showing a conventional muscleadductor taking-out method.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment of ShellfishProcessing Method

A first embodiment of a muscle adductor and associated parts taking-outmethod will now be fully explained with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1E.This embodiment relates to a case where a shellfish is a scallop havingtwo shells 2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the shellfish 1is transported while being rested on a receiving tray 20 of atransporting body 11. An operation for resting the shellfish 1 on thereceiving tray 20 can be performed manually or automatically by amachine. In this case, orientation of the shellfish 1 and upper andlower sides of the shellfish 1 are pre-determined. For example, aconnection side 21 (FIG. 1A) between two shells 2 of the shellfish 1 isoriented toward a width-wise direction of the transporting body 11, and,normally, the shellfish may be set in such a manner that a relativelyflat shell called as an upper shell (having a brown color; right shell)having a shallow curvature is located downwardly or a shell (having awhite color; left shell) having a deep curvature is located downwardly.

The shellfish 1 rested on the receiving tray 20 is transported by thetransporting body 11. When the shellfish is transported to apredetermined position, as shown in FIG. 3A, the shellfish is enteredbelow a holder 22 utilizing a belt conveyor disposed above thetransporting body 11 and lies between the holder 22 and the receivingtray 20 of the transporting body 11. The transporting body 11 and theholder 22 are moved intermittently and stopped and started in asynchronous manner. When the shellfish 1 is transported above cutterblades 23, the transporting body 11 and the holder 22 are stopped, and,during the stoppage, the connection side 21 and a leading end side 24 ofthe lower shell 2 are cut and removed by two cutter blades 23, as shownin FIG. 3B, thereby forming opening portions 5. Thereafter, thetransporting body 11 and the holder 22 start to be driven synchronouslythereby to transport the shellfish 1 on the receiving tray 20. When theshellfish 1 is transported in the vicinity of a first nozzle 25 (FIGS.1C and 4), the transporting body 11 and the holder 22 are stopped.

During the stoppage, the shellfish 1 is sucked to and held on thereceiving tray 20 by means of a suction device incorporated into thereceiving tray 20. In this condition, as shown in FIG. 4, liquid 26injected with high pressure from the first nozzle 25 is injected throughthe opening portion 5 of the shell 2 along an inner surface of the uppershell 2 to be directed to an adhesion portion between meat (muscleadductor) 3 and the shell 2, thereby separating the shell 2 from anupper surface of the muscle adductor 3 (i.e., opening the shell). In theillustrated embodiment, while the single nozzle 25 was used, a pluralityof nozzles may be arranged along a circumference of the shellfish 1 sothat liquids 26 injected from the nozzles are directed to the adhesionportion between the muscle adductor 3 and the shell 2 from multidirections along the inner surface of the shell 2 thereby to separatethe muscle adductor 3 from the shell 2 or a single nozzle 25 may berocked or may be revolved along the circumference of the muscle adductor3 to direct the liquid 26 injected from the nozzle 25 to the adhesionportion between the muscle adductor 3 and the shell 2 from multidirections along the inner surface of the shell 2 thereby to separatethe muscle adductor 3 from the shell 2. The liquid 26 may be water orother liquid. In this case, when the liquid 26 is high pressure finejet, the muscle adductor 3 can be separated from the shell 2 moreeasily. After the upper shell 2 is opened, the transporting body 11 isshifted again to transport the shellfish 1. When the shellfish 1 istransported in the vicinity of an, associated part removing mechanism(suction device) 10, the transporting body 11 is stopped again.

During the stoppage, as shown in FIGS. 1D and 5, the lower shell 2 isurged against the receiving tray 20 by means of first holders 27 to beheld on the receiving tray 20. In this condition, a suction port 28 ofthe associated part removing mechanism (suction device) 10 is approachedto the lower shell 2 to which the muscle adductor 3 is adhered, andassociated parts 4 such as midgut gland, mantle and gonad is removed bysuction. The sucked associated parts 4 is introduced into a tank 30through a discharge path 29, and moisture and fine dust included in theintroduced associated parts 4 are passed through a filter 31 within thetank 30 and are discharged outside. If desired, the associated parts 4accumulated in the tank 30 is sorted into midgut gland, mantle andgonad, and the midgut gland is disposed, and mantle and gonad arepost-treated for preparation for foods. When the associated parts 4 isremoved from the shells 2, only the midgut gland may be removed anddisposed or the remaining associated parts 4 may be removed collectivelyas goods or the mantle and gill may be removed together. In this way,the associated parts 4 can be removed independently or collectively inpart or in total in accordance with the commodity forms.

When the suction removal of the associated parts 4 as mentioned above isfinished, the transporting body 11 is shifted again. When the shellfish1 from which the associated parts 4 were removed is transported in thevicinity of a second nozzle 32 shown in FIGS. 1E and 6, the transportingbody 11 is stopped again. During the stoppage, the lower shell 2 isurged against the receiving tray 20 by second holders 33 to be held onthe receiving tray 20. In this condition, as shown in FIG. 6, liquid 34injected from the second nozzle 32 with high pressure is directed to theadhesion portion between the muscle adductor 3 and the shell 2 along theinner surface of the lower shell 2, thereby separating the muscleadductor 3 from the shell 2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, when amuscle adductor suction device 35 is approached to attract the muscleadductor upwardly, the muscle adductor 3 separated by the liquid caneasily be separated from the shell 2.

The muscle adductor 3 separated from the shell 2 is sucked by the muscleadductor suction device 35 and is transported out of the transportingbody 11. After the muscle adductor 3 is cleaned by cleaning liquid, itis forwarded to the market as it is or after refrigeration. The cleaningliquid may be water, ozone water or UV-treated water.

Second Embodiment of Shellfish Processing Method

FIGS. 7A to 7G show another embodiment of the shellfish processingmethod. In this method, the shellfish 1 is transported by thetransporting body 11 as shown in FIG. 7A, the shell 2 is cut by thecutting blades 23 to form the opening portions 5 as shown in FIG. 7B,the upper shell 2 is separated from the muscle adductor 3 by waterpressure as shown in FIG. 7C, midgut gland 45 is suckingly removed bythe suction device (associated part removing mechanism) 10 as shown inFIG. 7D, gonad 46 is suckingly removed by the associated part removingmechanism 10 as shown in FIG. 7E, mantle 47 is suckingly removed asshown in FIG. 7F, and, thereafter, the lower shell 2 is separated fromthe muscle adductor 3 by water pressure as shown in FIG. 7G. In FIGS. 7Dand 7E, for clarify's sake, while the midgut gland 45 and the gonad 46were shown at positions deviated from each other by 180 degrees, inactual, the midgut gland 45 and the gonad 46 are located at positionsdeviated from each other by 90 degrees along the circumference of themuscle adductor 3. Thus, in FIGS. 7D and 7E, the suction device(associated part removing mechanism) 10 for suckingly removing themidgut gland 45 is also used as the suction device (associated partremoving mechanism) 10 for suckingly removing the gonad 46, and such anassociated part removing mechanism 10 can be reciprocally rocked by 90degrees as shown in FIGS. 7D and 7E, and, further, after the associatedpart removing mechanism 10 suckingly removes either the midgut gland 45or the gonad 46, it is automatically rocked by 90 degrees to suckinglyremove the other.

The system shown in FIGS. 7A to 7G is provided with a colordiscriminating sensor 48. This sensor 48 can discriminate a color of thegonad 46 to judge whether the gonad 46 is included in a male shellfishor a female shellfish. Incidentally, the color of the gonad of the maleshellfish is white and the color of the gonad of the female shellfish isred. By effecting such judgement, since the gonads 46 can be sorted intomale gonad and female gonad, it is convenient.

First Embodiment of Shellfish Processing Device

The transporting body 11 shown in FIG. 1A is constituted, as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, by the receiving trays 20 attached to a moving member36 such as a chain or a belt, and each receiving tray 20 has a pair ofreceiving pieces 37, and a semicircular concave recess 38 is formed inan upper surface of each receiving piece, and the pair of receivingpieces 37 are attached to the moving member 36 so that the concaverecesses 38 are opposed to each other. The transporting body 11 isshifted intermittently by predetermined distances so that, when thetransporting body 11 is shifted to the predetermined positions, it isautomatically stopped and, when a predetermined time period is elapsed,the transporting body is automatically shifted again.

The holder 22 shown in FIGS. 1B and 3A comprises an endless belt, andpushing members 41 for urging a lower run 40 of the holder 22 downwardlyare arranged inside of the belt. The pushing members 41 are disposed ina confronting relationship to the receiving trays 20 with theinterposition of the lower run 40 of the holder 22 to pinch theshellfishes 1 on the receiving trays 20 between the lower run and thereceiving trays 20. Springs 42 are disposed outside of the holder 22.Each spring 42 serves to urge the pushing member 41 downwardly and isreturned upwardly when the shellfish 1 on the receiving tray 20 reachesbelow the lower run 40 of the holder 22.

The cutter blades 23 shown in FIG. 1B are diamond cutters which aredisposed at both ends in the width-wise direction of the transportingbody 11 and are rotated by a driving device (not shown). As the cutterblade 23, a cutter made of other material or having other configurationsuitable for cutting the shell 2 can be used. The cutter blades 23 maybe rotated continuously or may be rotated only during the cuttingoperation.

The shellfish holding mechanism shown in FIG. 5 comprises two arm-shapedfirst holders 27 disposed at both sides of the receiving tray 20 sothat, when the holders 27 is closed inwardly by a driving device (notshown), locking portions 43 of upper ends of the holders 27 are engagedby an upper edge of the lower shell 2 rested on the receiving tray 20 tourge the shell 2 against the receiving tray 20 to hold the shell on thetray, and, when the holders 27 are opened outwardly by the drivingdevice, the locking portions 43 of the holders 27 are disengaged fromthe upper edge of the lower shell 2, thereby releasing the urgingagainst the receiving tray 20. Other holding mechanism may be used.

As shown in FIG. 5, as a suction mechanism 50 of the associated partremoving mechanism 10, a vacuum suction device is used. The suctionmechanism 50 creates vacuum in the discharge path 29 and the associatedpart removing mechanism (vacuum nozzle) 10 by the action of a vacuumpump 51. The suction port 28 of the associated part removing mechanism10 is approached to the associated parts 4 adhered to the shell 2 tosuck the associated parts 4 and remove it from the shell 2. Theassociated parts 4 sucked into the associated part removing mechanism 10is introduced into the tank 30 through the discharge path 29. Themoisture and fine dust included in the associated parts 4 introduced inthe tank 30 are passed through the filter 31 within the tank 30 and aredischarged out of the tank 30. If desired, the associated parts 4accumulated in the tank 30 is sorted into various parts to be used invarious applications or be disposed. The first holders 27 are opened andclosed in the left-and-right direction by the driving mechanism (notshown). When the associated parts 4 are removed from the lower shell 2,the first holders 27 are opened, thereby releasing the holding of theshell 2.

While the suction port 28 of the associated part removing mechanism 10shown in FIG. 5 had a ring shape, the suction port 28 may be acylindrical shape as the muscle adductor suction device 35 shown in FIG.6 or may be a small diameter circular hole shape or an elongated holeshape, and, a size of the hole may be selected voluntarily so that theassociated parts 4 can be sucked independently or simultaneouslycollectively.

Second Embodiment of Shellfish Processing Device

In FIG. 1C, while an example that the opening portions 5 are formed inonly the lower shell 2 was explained, such opening portions may beformed in both upper and lower shells 2. The opening portions may belocated at positions other than the illustrated positions. For example,opening portion(s) may be formed at one end or both ends of the shell 2in the width-wise direction thereof.

In FIG. 1B, while the rotary cutters 23 having disk shape wasillustrated, the cutter blades 23 may have other shapes or may effectother motion (for example, reciprocal motion). For example, cylindricalcutter blades 23 may be rotated to form circular opening portions 5 inthe shell 2. Further, in place of the cutter blades, a heavy member suchas a hummer may be dropped onto the shell from the above to crush theshell, thereby forming the opening portion. In this case, fragments andpowder produced from the shell 2 may be suckingly removed by a suckinglyremoving device while cutting them or may be washed by liquid (forexample, water).

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, while an example that the transporting body 11 isshifted intermittently so that when it is stopped the shell 2 is cut bythe cutter blades 23 was explained, the transporting body 11 may beshifted continuously to form the opening portions or to effect othertreatment during the shifting movement. In this case, the shiftingmovement is effected at a speed in which the operation can easily beperformed.

In FIG. 1C, while an example that, when the upper shell 2 is separatedfrom the muscle adductor 3, the shellfish 1 on the receiving tray 20 issucked downwardly by the suction holding mechanism incorporated into thereceiving tray 20 to be held on the receiving tray 20 was explained, itis convenient that, when stopped, the holding mechanism is automaticallyconnected to the suction device located at the stop position to startsuction and, before re-start, the suction device is automaticallydisconnected. In the case where the suction holding mechanism isincorporated into the receiving tray 20, when the suction devices arelocated at the respective stop positions and the suction devices areautomatically connected and disconnected with respect to the holdingmechanism, if the first holders 27 and the second holders 33 are notused in the respective stop positions, the shellfish on the receivingtray 20 can be sucked to and held on the receiving tray 20. Further, inplace of the fact that the suction holding mechanism is incorporatedinto the receiving tray 20, holders such as the first and second holders27, 33 may be provided in each process.

In the first embodiment, while an example that after the upper shell 2is opened the associated parts 4 adhered to the lower shell 2 issuckingly removed was explained, in the present invention, after theopening portions 5 are formed, without opening the upper shell 2, thesuction port (for example, nozzle) 28 of the associated part removingmechanism 10 may be approached to the opening portion 5 to suckinglyremove the midgut gland 45 alone from the shellfish 1.

In FIG. 1D, while an example that the entire associated parts 4 such asmidgut gland, mantle and gonad is simultaneously suckingly removedcollectively by the single associated part removing mechanism 10 wasexplained, the associated parts 4 may be suckingly removed to be sortedinto the mantle, gonad and midgut gland. Particularly, since the midgutgland is disposed and a the other parts are used as goods, it isdesirable that the midgut gland be suckingly removed independently fromthe other parts. To this end, a suckingly removing device and a suctionmechanism exclusively used for removing the midgut gland may beprovided, or suckingly removing devices and suction mechanism such as amantle suckingly removing device and a gonad suckingly removing devicemay be provided independently to suckingly remove the associated partsin accordance with the kinds. Since the gonad does not exist through theyear but exists only in the breeding season, only when the gonad exists,it is suckingly removed.

Third Embodiment of Shellfish Processing Device

In the above-mentioned embodiments of the shellfish processing device,as shown in FIG. 5, while an example that the vacuum suction deviceutilizing the vacuum pump 51 is used as the, suction mechanism 50 of theassociated part removing mechanism 10 was explained, other associatedpart removing mechanism may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 8,when high pressure air is supplied from a supply pipe 61 to a suctionpipe 60 and the high pressure air is shifted at a high speed in thesupply pipe 61, negative pressure is generated in the suction pipe 60,with the result that the associated parts 4 can be sucked into a suctionport 62 of the suction pipe 60 approached to the associated parts 4 ofthe shellfish and the associated parts 4 can be discharged from anoutlet 63 of the suction pipe 60 through the suction pipe 60. Thedimension (fatness, configuration) of the suction pipe 60 and the supplypipe 61 can be selected voluntarily.

Fourth Embodiment of Shellfish Processing Device

As shown in FIG. 9, when high pressure liquid (water or other liquid) issupplied from a supply pipe 61 to a suction pipe 60 and the highpressure liquid is shifted at a high speed in the supply pipe 61,negative pressure is generated in the suction pipe 60, with the resultthat the associated parts 4 can be sucked into a suction port 62 of thesuction pipe 60 approached to the associated parts 4 of the shellfishand the associated parts 4 can be discharged from an outlet 63 of thesuction pipe 60 through the suction pipe 60. In this case, it isdesirable that small holes 64 are formed in the suction pipe 60 in thevicinity of the outlet 63 so that the liquid shifted at the high speedthrough the suction pipe 60 is discharged from the small holes 64 andthe associated parts 4 are mainly discharged from the outlet 63 of thesuction pipe 60. The dimension (fatness, configuration) of the suctionpipe 60 and the supply pipe 61 can be selected voluntarily.

Industrial Availability

The shellfish processing method according to the present inventionprovides the following effects:

1. Since the muscle adductor is separated from the shells by using theliquid, the muscle adductor is hard to be damaged.

2. Since the muscle adductor is not heated at all, the raw muscleadductor can be taken out without deteriorating the quality and themuscle adductor can be sold as raw goods in the market.

3. Even if the shell fragments, scraps and powder are adhered to themuscle adductor during the opening of the shell, since such foreignmatters are washed out by the liquid, the muscle adductor without anyforeign matter can be taken out.

4. Since the associated parts are suckingly removed, the associatedparts can be removed easily and positively. Further, since theassociated parts are not damaged, commerce value of the associated partsare not decreased.

5. Since the shells are separated by the liquid and the associated partsare suckingly removed by the suction device, after the shellfish isrested on the transporting body, the muscle adductor and the associatedparts are not contacted with the operator's finger. This is verysanitary.

In the shellfish processing device according to the present invention,since there are provided the transporting body for transporting theshellfish, the opening mechanism for forming the opening portions in theshell, the suckingly removing device for suckingly removing theassociated parts from the shells and the separating mechanism forseparating the muscle adductor from the shells by the injection of theliquid, formation of the opening portions, removal of the associatedparts and removal of the muscle adductor can be effected automatically,thereby reducing the power consumption and cost greatly.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shellfish processing method comprising thesteps of: transporting a shellfish by a transporting body; and injectingliquid from a nozzle into an inside of a first shell of first and secondshells of the shellfish to separate the first shell from meat, includinga muscle adductor, thereby opening the first shell.
 2. The shellfishprocessing method according to claim 1, wherein the transporting of theshellfish to be transported by the transporting body is accomplishedwhile the shellfish is sandwiched between the transporting body and aholder running in synchronism with the transporting body.
 3. Theshellfish processing method according to claim 1, wherein the injectingof the liquid from the nozzle into the inside of the first shell of thefirst and second shells of the shellfish to separate the first shellfrom the meat, including the muscle adductor, thereby opening the firstshell further comprises swinging the nozzle or rotating the nozzle in anouter peripheral direction of the muscle adductor to jet the liquidinjected from the nozzle to an attachment portion between the muscleadductor and the first shell along an inner peripheral surface of thefirst shell from various directions, thereby separating the muscleadductor from the first shell.
 4. A shellfish processing methodcomprising the steps of: forming an opening portion by an openingmechanism in a part of at least a first shell of first and second shellsof a shellfish transported by a transporting body; transporting theshellfish by the transporting body to another location; and injectingliquid from a nozzle into an inside of the first shell of the first andsecond shells through the opening portion to separate the first shellfrom meat, thereby opening the first shell.
 5. The shellfish processingmethod according to claim 4, wherein the transporting of the shellfishto be transported by the transporting body to another location isaccomplished while the shellfish is sandwiched between the transportingbody and a holder running in synchronism with the transporting body. 6.The shellfish processing method according to claim 4, wherein theinjecting of the liquid from the nozzle into the inside of the firstshell of the first and second shells through the opening portion toseparate the first shell from the meat, thereby opening the first shellfurther comprises swinging the nozzle or rotating the nozzle in an outerperipheral direction of the muscle adductor to jet the liquid injectedfrom the nozzle to an attachment portion between the muscle adductor andthe first shell along an inner peripheral surface of the first shellfrom various directions, thereby separating the muscle adductor from thefirst shell.
 7. The shellfish processing method according to claim 4,wherein the forming of the opening portion by the opening mechanism inthe part of the first shell of the first and second shells of theshellfish transported by the transporting body further comprisesremoving fragments and powder of the first shell when the openingportion is formed by the opening mechanism in the first shell by suctionusing a suction removing device or by liquid washing.
 8. The shellfishprocessing method according to claim 4, wherein the forming of theopening portion by the opening mechanism in the part of the first shellof the first and second shells of the shellfish transported by thetransporting body is accomplished by at least one of: removing the partof the first shell by a cutting operation; perforating the part of thefirst shell; and breaking the part of the first shell by pressurization.9. The shellfish processing method according to claim 8, wherein theforming of the opening portion by the opening mechanism in the part ofat least the first shell of the first and second shells of the shellfishtransported by the transporting body includes removing fragments andpowder of the first shell produced when the opening portion is formed bythe opening mechanism in the first shell by suction using a suctionremoving device or by liquid washing.
 10. A shellfish processing methodcomprising the steps of: injecting liquid from a nozzle into an insideof a first shell of first and second shells of a shellfish transportedby a transporting body to separate the first shell from meat, therebyopening the first shell; transporting the shellfish by a transportingbody to another location to be held by a holder; and suckingly removing,in a held state of the shellfish, associated parts, selected from agroup consisting of midgut gland, gonad, mantle, heart, gill andtentacle of the shellfish, attached to the second shell by an associatedpart removing mechanism independently or collectively in part or intotal.
 11. The shellfish processing method according to claim 10,wherein the transporting of the shellfish to be transported by thetransporting body to another location to be held by the holder isaccomplished while the shellfish is sandwiched between the transportingbody and a holder running in synchronism with the transporting body. 12.The shellfish processing method according to claim 10, wherein theinjecting of the liquid from the nozzle into the inside of the firstshell of the first and second shells of the shellfish transported by thetransporting body to separate the first shell from the meat, therebyopening the first shell further comprises swinging the nozzle orrotating the nozzle in an outer peripheral direction of the muscleadductor to jet the liquid injected from the nozzle to an attachmentportion between the muscle adductor and the first shell along an innerperipheral surface of the first shell from various directions, therebyseparating the muscle adductor from the first shell.
 13. A shellfishprocessing method comprising the steps of: forming an opening portion byan opening mechanism in a part of at least a first shell of first andsecond shells of a shellfish transported by a transporting body;transporting the shellfish by a transporting body to another location tobe held by a holder; and suckingly removing, in a held state of theshellfish, associated parts, selected from a group consisting of midgutgland, gonad, mantle, heart, gill and tentacle of the shellfish,attached to the second shell by an associated part removing mechanismindependently or collectively in part or in total.
 14. The shellfishprocessing method according to claim 13, wherein the transporting of theshellfish to be transported by the transporting body to another locationto be held by the holder is accomplished while the shellfish issandwiched between the transporting body and the holder running insynchronism with the transporting body.
 15. The shellfish processingmethod according to claim 13, further comprisng: after the transportingof the shellfish by the transporting body to another location to be heldby the holder, injecting liquid from a nozzle into an inside of thefirst shell of the first and second shells of the shellfish transportedby the transporting body to separate the first shell from meat,including a muscle adductor, thereby opening the first shell; andjetting the liquid injected from the nozzle to an attachment portionbetween the muscle adductor and the second shell along an innerperipheral surface of the second shell, thereby separating the muscleadductor from the second shell.
 16. The shellfish processing methodaccording to claim 13, wherein the forming of the opening portion by theopening mechanism in the part of the first shell of the first and secondshells of the shellfish transported by the transporting body furthercomprises removing fragments and powder of the first shell produced whenthe opening portion is formed by the opening mechanism in the firstshell by suction using a suction removing device or by liquid washing.17. The shellfish processing method according to claim 13, wherein theforming of the opening portion by the opening mechanism in the part ofthe first shell of the first and second shells of the shellfishtransported by the transporting body is accomplished by at least one of:removing the part of the first shell by a cutting operation; perforatingthe part of the first shell; and breaking the part of the first shell bypressurization.
 18. The shellfish processing method according to claim17, wherein the forming of the opening portion by the opening mechanismin the part of the first shell of the first and second shells of theshellfish transported by the transporting body further comprisesremoving fragments and powder of the first shell produced when theopening portion is formed by the opening mechanism in the first shell bysuction using a suction removing device or by liquid washing.
 19. Ashellfish processing method comprising the steps of: forming an openingportion by an opening mechanism in a part of a first shell of first andsecond shells of a shellfish transported by a transporting body;transporting the shellfish by the transporting body; and suckinglyremoving associated parts, selected from a group consisting of midgutgland, gonad, mantle, heart, gill and tentacle of the shellfish,attached to the second shell through the opening portion by anassociated part removing mechanism independently or collectively in partor in total.
 20. The shellfish processing method according to claim 19,wherein the transporting of the shellfish by the transporting body isaccomplished while the shellfish is sandwiched between the transportingbody and a holder running in synchronism with the transporting body. 21.The shellfish processing method according to claim 19, furthercomprising: after the transporting of the shellfish by the transportingbody, injecting liquid from a nozzle into an inside of the first shellof the first and second shells of the shellfish transported by thetransporting body to separate the first shell from meat, including amuscle adductor, thereby opening the first shell; and jetting the liquidinjected from the nozzle to an attachment portion between the muscleadductor and the second shell along an inner peripheral surface of thesecond shell, thereby separating the muscle adductor from the secondshell.
 22. The shellfish processing method according to claim 19,wherein the forming of the opening portion by the opening mechanism inthe part of the first shell of the first and second shells of theshellfish transported by the transporting body further comprisesremoving fragments and powder of the first shell produced when theopening portion is formed by the opening mechanism in the first shell bysuction using a suction removing device or by liquid washing.
 23. Theshellfish processing method according to claim 19, wherein the formingof the opening portion by the opening mechanism in the part of the firstshell of the first and second shells of the shellfish transported by thetransporting body further comprises forming the opening portion in thepart of the first shell of the first and second shells of the shellfishby at least one of: removing the part of the first shell by a cuttingoperation; perforating the part of the first shell; and breaking thepart of the first shell by pressurization.
 24. The shellfish processingmethod according to claim 23, wherein the forming of the opening portionby the opening mechanism in the part of the first shell of the first andsecond shells of the shellfish transported by the transporting bodyfurther comprises removing fragments and powder of the first shellproduced when the opening portion is formed by the opening mechanism inthe first shell by suction using a suction removing device or by liquidwashing.
 25. A shellfish processing device comprising: a transportingbody for transporting a shellfish; a nozzle for injecting liquid into aninside of a first shell of first and second shells of the shellfish toseparate the first shell from meat, including the muscle adductor,thereby opening the first shell; a holder for holding the shellfish; andan associated part removing mechanism for suckingly removing associatedparts, selected from a group consisting of midgut gland, gonad, mantle,heart, gill, and tentacle of the shellfish, attached to the second shellin a held state of the shellfish, independently or collectively in partor in total.
 26. The shellfish processing device according to claim 25,wherein the holder runs in synchronism with the transporting body andholds the shellfish transported by the transporting body whilesandwiching the shellfish between the holder and the transporting body.27. The shellfish processing device according to claim 25, furthercomprising a color determination sensor for determining a color of thegonad of the shellfish.
 28. A shellfish processing device comprising: atransporting body for transporting a shellfish; a first nozzle forinjecting liquid into an inside of a first shell of first and secondshells of the shellfish to separate the first shell from meat, includinga muscle adductor, thereby opening the first shell; a holder for holdingthe shellfish; an associated part removing mechanism for suckinglyremoving associated parts, selected from a group consisting of midgutgland, gonad, mantle, heart, gill, and tentacle of the shellfish,attached to the second shell in a held state of the shellfish,independently or collectively in part or in total; and a second nozzlefor injecting liquid into an inside of the second shell where theassociated parts have been removed, to separate the meat, including theadductor muscle, from the second shell.
 29. The shellfish processingdevice according to claim 28, wherein the holder runs in synchronismwith the transporting body and holds the shellfish transported by thetransporting body while sandwiching the shellfish between the holder andthe transporting body.
 30. The shellfish processing device according toclaim 28, further comprising a color determination sensor fordetermining a color of the gonad of the shellfish.
 31. A shellfishprocessing device comprising: a transporting body for transporting ashellfish; an opening mechanism for forming an opening portion in a partof at least a first shell of first and second shells of the shellfish;an injection nozzle for injecting liquid into an inside of the firstshell of the first and second shells through the opening portion toseparate the first shell from meat, including an adductor muscle,thereby opening the first shell; a holder for holding the shellfish; anassociated part removing mechanism for suckingly removing associatedparts, selected from a group consisting of midgut gland, gonad, mantle,heart, gill, and tentacle of the shellfish, attached to the secondshell, in a held state of the shellfish, independently or collectivelyin part or in total.
 32. The shellfish processing device according toclaim 31, further comprising: a suction removing device for suckinglyremoving fragments and powder of the first shell produced when theopening portion is formed in the first shell, or a washing device forremoving fragments and powder of the first shell produced when theopening portion is formed in the first shell by liquid washing.
 33. Theshellfish processing device according to claim 31, wherein the holderruns in synchronism with the transporting body and holds the shellfishtransported by the transporting body while sandwiching the shellfishbetween the holder and the transporting body.
 34. The shellfishprocessing device according to claim 31, further comprising a colordetermination sensor for determining a color of the gonad of theshellfish.
 35. A shellfish processing device comprising: a transportingbody for transporting a shellfish; an opening mechanism for forming anopening portion in a part of at least a first shell of first and secondshells of the shellfish; and a first injection nozzle for injectingliquid into an inside of the first shell of the first and second shellsthrough the opening portion to separate the first shell from meat,including the adductor muscle, thereby opening the first shell; a holderfor holding the shellfish; an associated part removing mechanism forsuckingly removing associated parts, selected from a group consisting ofmidgut gland, gonad, mantle, heart, gill, and tentacle of the shellfish,attached to the second shell, in a held state of the shellfish,independently or collectively in part or in total; a second injectionnozzle for injecting liquid into an inside of the second shell where theassociated parts have been removed, to separate the second shell frommeat, including the adductor muscle.
 36. The shellfish processing deviceaccording to claim 35, further comprising: a suction removing device forsuckingly removing fragments and powder of the first shell produced whenthe opening portion is formed in the first shell, or a washing devicefor removing fragments and powder of the first shell, produced when theopening portion is formed in the first shell, by liquid washing.
 37. Theshellfish processing device according to claim 35, wherein the holderruns in synchronism with the transporting body and holds the shellfishtransported by the transporting body while sandwiching the shellfishbetween the holder and the transporting body.
 38. The shellfishprocessing device according to claim 35, further comprising a colordetermination sensor for determining a color of the gonad of theshellfish.
 39. A shellfish processing device comprising: a transportingbody for transporting a shellfish; an opening mechanism for forming anopening portion in a part of at least the first shell of first andsecond shells of the shellfish; and an associated part removingmechanism for suckingly removing associated parts, selected from a groupconsisting of midgut gland, gonad, mantle, heart, gill, and tentacle ofthe shellfish, attached to the second shell independently orcollectively in part or in total through the opening portion.
 40. Theshellfish processing device according to claim 39, further comprising: asuction removing device for suckingly removing fragments and powder ofthe first shell produced when the opening portion is formed in the firstshell, or a washing device for removing fragments and powder of thefirst shell, produced when the opening portion is formed in the firstshell, by liquid washing.
 41. The shellfish processing device accordingto claim 39, further comprising a holder running in synchronism with thetransporting body and holding the shellfish transported by thetransporting body while sandwiching the shellfish between itself and thetransporting body.
 42. A shellfish processing device according to claim39, further comprising a color determination sensor for determining acolor of the gonad of the shellfish.